Spray nozzle



NOV. 21, 1933. $T|LL$oN 1,936,413

SPRAY NOZZLE Filed Nov. 25, 1930 INVENTOR. 1 13. GEORGE h. STILL-SON.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 21, 1933 PATENT; oFFIcEj SPRAY NOZZLE George H. Stillson, CrocketLCalif.

Application November 25, 1930 Serial No. 498,033

4 Claims.

such as are used for washing sugar and the,

like and more particularly to an improved spray nozzle for directing the wash water against the walls of the centrifugal in a uniform manner.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a new and novel spray nozzle for centrifugal washing machines which will distribute a spray of wash water from a central point to the walls of the centrifugal in uniform amounts irrespective of the distance from the nozzle of the surface to be washer.

A further object of my invention is to provide in a nozzle of the above character a means whereby the direction of the'spray with respect to the axis of a centrifugal may be changed without disturbing the location or position of the nozzle proper.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be in part pointed out and in part evident from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein I have shown, by Way of illustration and not of limitation, a preferred form of my invention.

In the drawing wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views;

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken centrally through a centrifugal showing the disposition of the spray nozzle with respect to the sugar or other material to be washed.

Figure 2 is a side view of my improved nozzle showing the spray forming orifice,

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the center of the nozzle, and

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line IVIV of Figure 3.

In describing my invention I shall refer to it as applied to a sugar washing centrifugal but I desire to have it understood that my invention is also adapted to centrifugals for washing other materials where it is desirable that the whole surface of the material being washed must be subjected to a uniform amount of wash water.

In the washing of sugar crystals at the refinery the crystallized sugar as taken from the evaporating pans contains a certain amount of uncrystallized juice which must be separated from the crystals. This operation is carried out by placing the sugar massecuite in a basket type of perforated receptacle that is rotated at a high speed about a vertical axis and in which the sugar, as it is disposed around the wall of the basket by centrifugal force, is subjected to a high velocity jet or spray of washing water.

For a proper washing of the sugar crystals in this manner it is necessary that the washing operation be timed so that the crystals will not be subjected to more water than is required for the elimination of the impurities. It is also necessary that the spray or jet from the nozzle be so directed that the layer. of crystals disposed upon the walls of the basket will be subjected to a uniform amount of wash water over the entire surface during the washing operation.

When the sugar is disposed within the centrifugal as suggested above it will be seen that the surfaces of the sugar above and belowv the spray orifice of the nozzle will be farther from the nozzle orifice than the surface directly adjacent the nozzle. As a result of this variation in the distances to different parts of the sugar wall and the resultant variations in the angles of contact of spray with the sugar wall, the distribution of washing water will be uneven with a nozzle having an orifice of uniform width.

In order to overcome the above and provide for a uniform amount of ,wash water at the surface of the sugar being washed, I propose to so proportion the spray orifice that the amount of water passing therethrough at any point will be substantially proportional to the distance of the orifice to the surface being washed thereby.

As shown in Figure 1 of the drawing, my improved nozzle designated by the numeral 10 is mounted upon the end of a pipe 11 and is disposed slightly above thehorizontal center of a centrifugal 12 in which a quantity of sugar 13 to be washed is disposed. The centrifugal 12 may be of any desired type. As here shown it consists of a perforated basket suspended upon a vertical shaft 14 by means of whichit is rotated. Surrounding the centrifugal 12 there is also provided the customary apron or housing 15.

As illustrated in Figure 2, my improved nozzle 10 comprises a body portion 16 having a threaded end for mounting it upon the pipe 11, and a cap portion 17 which cooperates therewith to form an orifice 18.

By referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the member 16 and the cap 17 are secured together by a centrally disposed bolt 18 so that the cap 17 can be rotated therearound. The portion 16 is provided with a suitable valve seat 19 against which a valve 20 is retained by a suitable spring 21. At the point where the bolt 18' is threaded. into the member 16, I provide a plurality of openings 22 through which the wash water may enter a cavity 23 formed by recesses 24 and 25 formed respectively in the member 16 and the cap 17. In providing the recesses 24 and '25 in the member 16 and the cap 17 it will be seen that annular surfaces will be formed upon these parts which will surround and form a wall about the cavity 23.

In order to provide the spray forming orifice 18, I show the cap 17 as machined or filed away as at 26, so that the annular surfaces surrounding the cavity 23 will not meet at this point. In machining the cap 1.7 at the point 26, I cut away the metal so as to form an annular slot having what might be termed an hour glass shape, or inother words, a slot having a varying width throughout its length, it being wider at the extreme ends than at its center.

An orifice for nozzles spraying approximately 7 gallons of water per minute whichwilfgive good results is one having an arcuate ,length of approximately 2%" and the following widthsffat the top .022", at the point nearest the sugar wall .016", and at the bottom .074. Such'an orifice will give a uniform distribution of washing water 7 to all parts of s the sugar wall will require less "water than other types.

Inpractice; the nozzle 10 is disposed abovethe horizontal c enter of thebasket and about 14" 'frcmthe sugar wall at the point levelfwith the nozzle, With the nozzle so disposed, the distance tothe top of the wall of sugar from the nozzle 'willbe approximately 16 and the distance to the bottom of the sugar wall will be approximately I As the water leaves the orifice 18 it will form a fan-like sheet or spray of water which will have a cross section at the nozzle corresponding to the shapeof the orifice and as the water travels outwardly it will thin "out, particularly at the top and bottom until it strikes the sugar, when it will havea substantiallyjuniform thickness.

While I have, for the sake of clearnesls and in order to disclose my invention so that the same can be readily understood, described and illustrated specific devices and arrangements, I desire to have it understood that this'invention-is not limited to the specific means disclosed but may be embodied in "other ways that will suggest themselves, in view of this broad disclosure, to persons skilled in the art. It is believed that this invention is broadly new and it is desired to claim it as such so that all such changes ascorne within the scope of the appended claims are to be considered as part of this'invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1; A spray nozzle for sugar washing centrifugals and the like, comprising a body portion adapted to connect with a source of fluid, and an end closure member for said body portion secured tion forming a fluid conduit adapted to connect "with a source of spray fluid and having a vertically disposed annular surface at its discharge end, a closure means having a raised annular surface for engaging said first annular surface, v a portion of said raised annular surface being cut away to provide an irregular spray forming orifice and a stud passing centrally through said latter'portion and engaging said body portion for securin fiaid two annular surfaces in abutting engagement, whereby one annular surfacecan be rotated with respect to the other to vary the direction of the spray formed by the orifice without changing the character of the orifice.

3. In aspray nozzle for sugar washing centrifugals and the like, the combination of a body portion forming a fluid conduit adapted to connect with a source of spray fluid and havingha vertically disposed annular surface at its,di s-'1 05 charge end, a closure means having alraised annular surface for engaging saidfirst annular surface, a portion of said raised annularlsurface being cut away to provide an irregular spray forming orifice, and means disposed centrally of said annular surfaces for securing them in abjutting engagementand permitting one to rotate thereabout to vary the direction of the spray without changing the character of the sfp ra'y 4; In a spraynoz zle for sugar washing centrifugals and the like, the combination of a body portion forming a fluidconduit adapted toconnect with a source of spray fluid and having an annular surface disposed about its discharge end, ure m ansha i s a raised n la su ac engaging saidfirst annular surface and forming a fluid cavity, a portion of said raised annular surface being cut away to provide an arcuate spray forming orifice in one side of said cavity having a greater width at its ends than in the center, and means disposed centrally of said ann a r ace -Se them' abutt n engagement and permitting one to rotate there:

about to .vary the direction .of the spray without ;l 1t0 changing the character'of the spray orifice.

GEORGE H. STILLSONi 

